Signs of Alcoholism

How do you know when someone needs professional help?  Many people drink in excess. So how do you know if you are in need of professional help?   Alcohol is a drug, a legal drug that affects the mind, body and spirit.  Being addicted to alcohol plays a role in many social, psychological and domestic problems.  Friends and family of the alcoholic experience emotional pain from the alcoholic’s problem.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease and potentially fatal.  Many alcoholics are in denial or don't even know that they are in need of help.  It is up to the  family and friends to identify the signs and help them.  What signs should you look for?

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Loss of control over drinking

Physical dependence

Continuous craving

Morning drinking

Drinking and driving intoxicated

Drinking to forget about problems

Performance at work, such as  lack of productivity or absenteeism

Increased tolerance level.  Overtime, they will need to drink more and more to achieve the same 'high', which eventually will lead to dependence or addiction.

Are they drinking alone or making up excuses to drink?

Signs of withdrawal

Blacking out regularly.  When they reach a level of alcohol that the body cannot process fast enough, an alcoholic will black out. 

The following categories will help you define the degree of alcoholism, where:

One drink = 12 oz of beer, 6 oz of wine, 1.5 oz of 90-proof liquor

Moderate Drinking
For men:  up to two drinks a day
For women: up to one drink a day

Heavy Drinking (Hazardous)
For men:  4-5 drinks in one session or more than 14 drinks per week
For women:  3 drinks in one session or more than 7 drinks per week.

Harmful Drinking
When it is causing harm physically and psychologically and had a constant consumption for at least a month and  had taken place regularly for not less than a year. 

Alcohol Abuse
Inability to accomplish work or personal responsibilities
Keep on drinking in spite of harm done in personal or social relationships
Problems with the law
Continued use in potentially risky situations

Alcohol Dependence
Showing the following signs over a period of one year:

Withdrawal
Needing to drink more to produce an effect
Not successful in attempting to stop or decrease
Keep on drinking despite of harmful effects on himself/herself and others
Giving up work

It is not very easy to have an alcoholic to look for help.  They won't easily face the fact that they are having a drinking problem beyond their control.  You should look for these signs in family and friends.  Help them establish a method to control or eliminate alcohol.  You may also need some help as well.  There is an organization called Al-Non/Alateen to help those individuals affected by an alcoholic in their lives.  They will guide you how you can help an alcoholic, as many people end up harming them.  Visit their website at http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/